Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

DP. I’m sorry, you’re living in a fantasy world. Covid school closures and mask policies made MANY formerly unquestioning Democracts question a LOT. I personally will never vote Republican at the national level, but my belief in Democrats has been almost fully eroded. This means that I won’t donate, won’t canvas, may vote R in local elections (depending on candidate). Covid essentially turned me from a Democrat to an Independent. This is especially true on K-12 education. Covid school closures opened my eyes to the fact that the inmates are running the asylum and do really stupid sh*t. Getting rid of accelerated classes in the name of “equity” is exactly one of those things that I can now see as just unmitigatedly wrong and bad.

+1 Ditto with this PP.

Despite the many posts indicating this new allegiance voter records show it's had almost no impact. This suggests mostly just more turfers trying to sway public opinion by fearmongering.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This turns an English class into a one room school house in terms of ability. Huge mistake. Kids who are behind act out because they can’t keep up. Kids who are ahead act out because they are bored.

It's English! Not Math or Physics.
I don't see the big deal with English for all, at all.

Have you seen some of the books the kids are assigned to read? The authors would get an F for the quality of the writing. The new normal, incompetence gets rewarded.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

I'm not the PP but I've been active on this thread trying to bring fact-based discussion by linking the class registration for local high schools, demonstrating that this phenomenon is actually happening in MPCS. I'm also a registered Democrat who has voted straight ticket in every election since Clinton's second term. I've worked on Democratic campaigns, and on multiple progressive ballot initiatives (mostly around LGBTQ+ issues).

One of the worst traits of some of my fellow progressives is a circular firing squad refusal to even engage with the idea that some progressive ideas might not be working. In this specific case, Honors for All is not working. It's harming teachers and students by forcing wildly heterogenous classrooms right at the age when they should be moving toward differentiated instruction.

Getting rid of gatekeeping for Honors and AP class is good. Let's keep that. Anyone who wants to take Honors and AP can. But bring back on-level coursework, so that kids from all backgrounds can choose the class that is right for them and their own goals.

I'm not saying I'm going to vote (R) over this. I'm as committed to progressive ideas as I ever was, but I will pull my own personal kids out of public school if MCPS doesn't stop lurching from idea to idea without any discussion, transparency, or engagement with parents and educators. This is going to be one of those times where my political ideals (high quality public education is the foundation of a stable democracy) is coming into conflict with my personal goals of making sure my kids leave high school well-prepared for whatever comes next. That might make me a hypocrite, but I'm old enough to know that sometimes that happens in politics.

The bolded is spot on. Honors and AP classes don’t need fate keeping nor do they need to be watered down. Students need the additional support to attain the skills needed to succeed in advance classes and the confidence to choose the advance classes that work for and interest them. Teachers can provide tutoring. Schools can provide study halls, recitation classes, intro type classes etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

I'm not the PP but I've been active on this thread trying to bring fact-based discussion by linking the class registration for local high schools, demonstrating that this phenomenon is actually happening in MPCS. I'm also a registered Democrat who has voted straight ticket in every election since Clinton's second term. I've worked on Democratic campaigns, and on multiple progressive ballot initiatives (mostly around LGBTQ+ issues).

One of the worst traits of some of my fellow progressives is a circular firing squad refusal to even engage with the idea that some progressive ideas might not be working. In this specific case, Honors for All is not working. It's harming teachers and students by forcing wildly heterogenous classrooms right at the age when they should be moving toward differentiated instruction.

Getting rid of gatekeeping for Honors and AP class is good. Let's keep that. Anyone who wants to take Honors and AP can. But bring back on-level coursework, so that kids from all backgrounds can choose the class that is right for them and their own goals.

I'm not saying I'm going to vote (R) over this. I'm as committed to progressive ideas as I ever was, but I will pull my own personal kids out of public school if MCPS doesn't stop lurching from idea to idea without any discussion, transparency, or engagement with parents and educators. This is going to be one of those times where my political ideals (high quality public education is the foundation of a stable democracy) is coming into conflict with my personal goals of making sure my kids leave high school well-prepared for whatever comes next. That might make me a hypocrite, but I'm old enough to know that sometimes that happens in politics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this, it's much better to have all honors so all can have inflated grades.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

American education is getting systematically dismantled. If you care, fight.

At least that's what Fox News and its associated properties would have us believe.

I'm also skeptical because the quality of education available to my children at MCPS is vastly better than the education available at MCPS 30 years ago when I graduated from a W. Sure, the county's demographics are different today. Still, there are amazing opportunities for anyone interested.

+1000

What opportunities does my kid have if she wants to be prepared for IB English in 11th and is a strong writer? There is only one English course offered in 9th and 10th at her school unless you are an ELL student. Why can't there be more options like there are for math?

What gets me is that your daughter will be prepared for IB English because you will ensure is. The kid with a FT working single mom will not be prepared because her only option is “honors for all.” But if she had been placed in reals honors classes in MS she could have been prepared. I honestly cannot wrap my head around what these “progressives” theories are for how disadvantaged kids can achieve academic excellence. They are making it harder.

100% this. Teacher here. MCPS is driving all the HS teachers crazy with their soft bigotry of low expectations.
We are not helping low income kids get prepared for the real world by reducing rigor, 50% grades for no work turned in, no attendance policies, honors for all, no discipline, etc. Most teachers are beyond frustrated but we have no voice in MCPS

I think this highlights one of the reasons why genuine progressives are so frustrated right now. Not only does MCPS seem to be going far beyond any evidece-based interventions, but they are doing so in a way that ignores the opinions of all of the relevant stakeholders - parents, students, teachers, and administrators.

If this were a functioning system, Central Office would introduce changes and then give opportunity for public comment. They would consult with administrators, and teachers, and parents. Then the School Board would ask hard questions, and there would be some discussion of the anticipated and unanticipated impact of these pretty significant changes.

Instead, we get no public discussion, no School Board oversight, and changes are are foisted on administrators and teachers by Central Office folks just looking for their next job. So they get to tell their next employer that they widened access to Honors classes and closed the racial achievement gap.

It's all a scam, and fundamentally undemocratic because there is no transparency and no oversight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This turns an English class into a one room school house in terms of ability. Huge mistake. Kids who are behind act out because they can’t keep up. Kids who are ahead act out because they are bored.

It's English! Not Math or Physics.
I don't see the big deal with English for all, at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

DP. I’m sorry, you’re living in a fantasy world. Covid school closures and mask policies made MANY formerly unquestioning Democracts question a LOT. I personally will never vote Republican at the national level, but my belief in Democrats has been almost fully eroded. This means that I won’t donate, won’t canvas, may vote R in local elections (depending on candidate). Covid essentially turned me from a Democrat to an Independent. This is especially true on K-12 education. Covid school closures opened my eyes to the fact that the inmates are running the asylum and do really stupid sh*t. Getting rid of accelerated classes in the name of “equity” is exactly one of those things that I can now see as just unmitigatedly wrong and bad.

+1 Ditto with this PP.

Despite the many posts indicating this new allegiance voter records show it's had almost no impact. This suggests mostly just more turfers trying to sway public opinion by fearmongering.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

DP. I’m sorry, you’re living in a fantasy world. Covid school closures and mask policies made MANY formerly unquestioning Democracts question a LOT. I personally will never vote Republican at the national level, but my belief in Democrats has been almost fully eroded. This means that I won’t donate, won’t canvas, may vote R in local elections (depending on candidate). Covid essentially turned me from a Democrat to an Independent. This is especially true on K-12 education. Covid school closures opened my eyes to the fact that the inmates are running the asylum and do really stupid sh*t. Getting rid of accelerated classes in the name of “equity” is exactly one of those things that I can now see as just unmitigatedly wrong and bad.

+1 Ditto with this PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

DP. I’m sorry, you’re living in a fantasy world. Covid school closures and mask policies made MANY formerly unquestioning Democracts question a LOT. I personally will never vote Republican at the national level, but my belief in Democrats has been almost fully eroded. This means that I won’t donate, won’t canvas, may vote R in local elections (depending on candidate). Covid essentially turned me from a Democrat to an Independent. This is especially true on K-12 education. Covid school closures opened my eyes to the fact that the inmates are running the asylum and do really stupid sh*t. Getting rid of accelerated classes in the name of “equity” is exactly one of those things that I can now see as just unmitigatedly wrong and bad.

+1 Ditto with this PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this on MCPS forum? The right wingers are trying hard to create chaos and destroy public schools.

No way. It's the crazy left wing that has destroyed public education in this county in the name of #Equity. That and Covid where our local leaders threw kids under the bus and kept schools closed for way longer than necessary.

totally. i have voted democratic but making our schools unusable is pushing me in a different direction. If they are going to do this, at least let me have my tax $ back so i can enroll in private.

Not a chance. Democrats are staunchly against school choice. They would prefer to waste enormous amounts of taxpayer money, unencumbered by accountability.

+1. Have left Dems because of their fealty to teachers. Public schools should be replaced with vouchers for families. End the monopoly on mediocrity.

Pro Tip: When pretending to be a “Democrat who’s seen the light” on anonymous message board, avoid easy tells like “Dems.”

Try harder.

DP. I’m sorry, you’re living in a fantasy world. Covid school closures and mask policies made MANY formerly unquestioning Democracts question a LOT. I personally will never vote Republican at the national level, but my belief in Democrats has been almost fully eroded. This means that I won’t donate, won’t canvas, may vote R in local elections (depending on candidate). Covid essentially turned me from a Democrat to an Independent. This is especially true on K-12 education. Covid school closures opened my eyes to the fact that the inmates are running the asylum and do really stupid sh*t. Getting rid of accelerated classes in the name of “equity” is exactly one of those things that I can now see as just unmitigatedly wrong and bad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this, it's much better to have all honors so all can have inflated grades.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

American education is getting systematically dismantled. If you care, fight.

At least that's what Fox News and its associated properties would have us believe.

I'm also skeptical because the quality of education available to my children at MCPS is vastly better than the education available at MCPS 30 years ago when I graduated from a W. Sure, the county's demographics are different today. Still, there are amazing opportunities for anyone interested.

+1000

What opportunities does my kid have if she wants to be prepared for IB English in 11th and is a strong writer? There is only one English course offered in 9th and 10th at her school unless you are an ELL student. Why can't there be more options like there are for math?

What gets me is that your daughter will be prepared for IB English because you will ensure is. The kid with a FT working single mom will not be prepared because her only option is “honors for all.” But if she had been placed in reals honors classes in MS she could have been prepared. I honestly cannot wrap my head around what these “progressives” theories are for how disadvantaged kids can achieve academic excellence. They are making it harder.

100% this. Teacher here. MCPS is driving all the HS teachers crazy with their soft bigotry of low expectations.
We are not helping low income kids get prepared for the real world by reducing rigor, 50% grades for no work turned in, no attendance policies, honors for all, no discipline, etc. Most teachers are beyond frustrated but we have no voice in MCPS

I think this highlights one of the reasons why genuine progressives are so frustrated right now. Not only does MCPS seem to be going far beyond any evidece-based interventions, but they are doing so in a way that ignores the opinions of all of the relevant stakeholders - parents, students, teachers, and administrators.

If this were a functioning system, Central Office would introduce changes and then give opportunity for public comment. They would consult with administrators, and teachers, and parents. Then the School Board would ask hard questions, and there would be some discussion of the anticipated and unanticipated impact of these pretty significant changes.

Instead, we get no public discussion, no School Board oversight, and changes are are foisted on administrators and teachers by Central Office folks just looking for their next job. So they get to tell their next employer that they widened access to Honors classes and closed the racial achievement gap.

It's all a scam, and fundamentally undemocratic because there is no transparency and no oversight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this, it's much better to have all honors so all can have inflated grades.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

American education is getting systematically dismantled. If you care, fight.

At least that's what Fox News and its associated properties would have us believe.

I'm also skeptical because the quality of education available to my children at MCPS is vastly better than the education available at MCPS 30 years ago when I graduated from a W. Sure, the county's demographics are different today. Still, there are amazing opportunities for anyone interested.

+1000

What opportunities does my kid have if she wants to be prepared for IB English in 11th and is a strong writer? There is only one English course offered in 9th and 10th at her school unless you are an ELL student. Why can't there be more options like there are for math?

What gets me is that your daughter will be prepared for IB English because you will ensure is. The kid with a FT working single mom will not be prepared because her only option is “honors for all.” But if she had been placed in reals honors classes in MS she could have been prepared. I honestly cannot wrap my head around what these “progressives” theories are for how disadvantaged kids can achieve academic excellence. They are making it harder.

100% this. Teacher here. MCPS is driving all the HS teachers crazy with their soft bigotry of low expectations.
We are not helping low income kids get prepared for the real world by reducing rigor, 50% grades for no work turned in, no attendance policies, honors for all, no discipline, etc. Most teachers are beyond frustrated but we have no voice in MCPS

Isn't the MCEA supposed to be your voice?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this, it's much better to have all honors so all can have inflated grades.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

American education is getting systematically dismantled. If you care, fight.

At least that's what Fox News and its associated properties would have us believe.

I'm also skeptical because the quality of education available to my children at MCPS is vastly better than the education available at MCPS 30 years ago when I graduated from a W. Sure, the county's demographics are different today. Still, there are amazing opportunities for anyone interested.

+1000

What opportunities does my kid have if she wants to be prepared for IB English in 11th and is a strong writer? There is only one English course offered in 9th and 10th at her school unless you are an ELL student. Why can't there be more options like there are for math?

What gets me is that your daughter will be prepared for IB English because you will ensure is. The kid with a FT working single mom will not be prepared because her only option is “honors for all.” But if she had been placed in reals honors classes in MS she could have been prepared. I honestly cannot wrap my head around what these “progressives” theories are for how disadvantaged kids can achieve academic excellence. They are making it harder.

100% this. Teacher here. MCPS is driving all the HS teachers crazy with their soft bigotry of low expectations.
We are not helping low income kids get prepared for the real world by reducing rigor, 50% grades for no work turned in, no attendance policies, honors for all, no discipline, etc. Most teachers are beyond frustrated but we have no voice in MCPS

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this, it's much better to have all honors so all can have inflated grades.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

American education is getting systematically dismantled. If you care, fight.

At least that's what Fox News and its associated properties would have us believe.

I'm also skeptical because the quality of education available to my children at MCPS is vastly better than the education available at MCPS 30 years ago when I graduated from a W. Sure, the county's demographics are different today. Still, there are amazing opportunities for anyone interested.

+1000

What opportunities does my kid have if she wants to be prepared for IB English in 11th and is a strong writer? There is only one English course offered in 9th and 10th at her school unless you are an ELL student. Why can't there be more options like there are for math?

What gets me is that your daughter will be prepared for IB English because you will ensure is. The kid with a FT working single mom will not be prepared because her only option is “honors for all.” But if she had been placed in reals honors classes in MS she could have been prepared. I honestly cannot wrap my head around what these “progressives” theories are for how disadvantaged kids can achieve academic excellence. They are making it harder.

100% this. Teacher here. MCPS is driving all the HS teachers crazy with their soft bigotry of low expectations.
We are not helping low income kids get prepared for the real world by reducing rigor, 50% grades for no work turned in, no attendance policies, honors for all, no discipline, etc. Most teachers are beyond frustrated but we have no voice in MCPS

Anonymous wrote:MCPS = Making Children Pretty Stupid